Why is it that the best burger joints in Melbourne are just men’s names? You’ve got Danny’s in North Fitzroy, and Andrew’s in Albert Park, and both have excellent reputations. I finally got to try out the burgers at both and decide which for myself was the winner.
I love cheeseburgers, and fast food burgers are cardboard, let’s be honest. Being out and about late at night in the city, Danny’s is an excellent choice – not too far out of the city, has a lovely diner feel and the burgers are made with fresh buns, shredded lettuce and patties.
My dining partner’s burger of choice is the burger with the lot – cheese, tomato, egg, bacon. Often, several patties.
I ordered a cheeseburger at Danny’s but couldn’t get a photo that really captured its glory properly. But here’s one of their chips. We ate more than we should have, but they were just so good. It made The Age’s top ten list a while ago when they did a feature on the best chips in Melbourne.
The diner is really nice at Danny’s, but even though I’ve been in there several times of late, I don’t find the staff to be particularly friendly. However, their drawcard is they are open till 2am. If I’ve driven into the city for a gig and am feeling peckish after, guess where I end up!
Andrew’s shut at 9pm and when I went there, it was packed. There isn’t really anywhere to linger and sit. Albert Park is nowhere near where I live (whereas at least North Fitzroy isn’t too far) so it’s a little bit of a problem not having anywhere to eat my burger. We ended up across the road on a park bench.
Here’s my cheeseburger. Easily one of the best I’ve ever had. None of this plastic-tasting cheese business. The meat patty and cheese together was so satisfying – more flavoursome than Danny’s.
The burger with the lot is fantastic. Delicious meat patties and fresh, flavoursome ingredients. You don’t need to add extra condiments. The chips, however, were absolutely awful – they were very dry and tasted old. I rarely throw food away, but these were turfed on account of how bad they were.
By an inch, I would declare Andrew’s as serving the superior burger. Proximity and the late night opening means that I would most likely frequent Danny’s. However, you can’t be disappointed by either when in the mood for a good old-fashioned (non-gourmet) burger.
I love Andrew’s!! I wish they opened everyday and longer hours. Yummo. My fave burger. I’ve heard fantastic things about the North Fitzroy Danny’s but have yet to try it. I can report that their St Kilda equivalent does not live up to the hype of the name. One of the worst burgers I’ve tried, in fact it was so bad I didn’t finish it. Chips were good though.
Such a tough call, both such great places. As I’ve discussed before (ad nauseum :p), Danny’s has it on balance for me. Better ‘experience’ (I love the whole diner thing), better location (for me), better chips (Andrew’s chips weren’t great when I went) and a burger that is just about as good as Andrew’s. But my gawd, that ‘Andrew’ can make a great burger 🙂
@girlbug you are hereby ordered to visit Danny’s at North Fitzroy. You know at least one person who will come with you 😀 on your recommendation, I won’t visit the St Kilda one.
@tristankenney it really is like comparing one’s kids, innit? Wouldn’t it be ace if Andrew’s had the whole diner set-up of Danny’s? I’m hoping the bad chips was a once-off, but honestly, what a cheeseburger…so good.
Weird about the chips at Andrew’s. They usually are pretty good. I usually have left overs but only because I’ve over eaten and cannot jam any more potatoey goodness into my bloated belly 😛 I will be taking you up on your offer as my Danny’s date =D
@girlbug it would my pleasure to be your Danny’s date, dearest GirlBug 😀
The “men’s names” trope isn’t limited to Melbourne. Alfred’s Kitchen does the best burgers in Perth (worth a visit just to sit by the campfire).
I am ashame to say that I have not tried Danny’s. I will one day since it is so close but it is one day. I love Andrew’s and I can finish the lot!
@robcorr I’ll keep Alfred’s Kitchen in mind for when I go to Perth. But yes, you’re absolutely right, the name thing isn’t Melb-specific – you can see my post on Betty’s Soup Kitchen in Syd, for instance 🙂
@jeroxie you must go to (Nth Fitzroy) Danny’s. It’s really lovely to eat in too. Wish Andrew’s weren’t so far from me, sob!